Wednesday, July 26, 2017

After a somewhat difficult morning, I called a friend and we headed to the Cape to Cataumet for lunch. You can't get a prettier view than this from the Chart Room restaurant. It made me feel as if I was on vacation and brightened my day.

Monday, July 24, 2017

Nah, I'm kidding . . . This double block castle is from a quilt on which I am currently working. The other day, a member of one of the guilds to which I belong asked if anyone would be willing to make a quilt for a very special organization with which she is involved. This organization is dedicated to helping children who are battling cancer. She was looking for five quilts and because I responded first, I got first pick from the five themes. I was happy to volunteer and even happier to be able to make the "princess-themed" quilt.

This delightful pattern book, Once Upon a Time - Fairy Tale Puzzle Quilts by Beth Heifter of (EvaPaige Quilt Designs) has been on my bookshelf for a number of years. I didn't discover this book until all the little princesses in my life had passed the "princess" stage, so I was excited to finally get to use it. In just a matter of days, I have prepared twenty, fused blocks, and tomorrow I will start zigzagging around all of the applique pieces and add some embellishments. It is a joyful project and I can't wait to see it all stitched together.

Yesterday, I grabbed this quick iPhone shot of the yellow, swirling blossoms of the hibiscus on my porch

and noticed that this hanging pot is a pretty good reflection of the colors in my Katie PM artful log cabin shown in my previous post. :-)

It was raining all day here in the kingdom, but after a three-day heat wave, you won't hear me complain.

Sunday, July 16, 2017

I'm happy to say that I finished the piece that I started in the Katie PM "Artful Log Cabin" workshop that I attended in early June. You can read about it in an earlier post, here . The workshop was wonderful, and I totally enjoyed the process. Katie's new book, Artful Log Cabins,leads the reader through the entire process and includes many colorful samples. Her book may be purchased at your local bookstore, quilt shop, or on her website.

I love photographing flowers and in particular, fuchsias. This was the photo that I used as the basis was "Fuchsia Fantasy."

I'm thrilled with the piece and already have another photo in mind for a second 'artful log cabin.'

Yesterday, I went with two friends to the opening of the "Threads of Resistance" quilt exhibit at the Lowell Quilt Museum. I'll talk a bit about it in my next post after I have had time to process my thoughts about it.

One more item before I forget it, if you are sixty-two or over, this is the time to get your America the Beautiful - National Parks and Recreational Lands Senior Pass. This pass is a lifetime pass. You may purchase it at any National Park in person for $10.00 or by mail for $20.00. Why the rush? Well, the price is going to increase to $80.00 on August 28, 2017. That's quite a hike! (Pun semi-intended.) Locally, you can obtain a pass in person at the Adam National Park in Quincy.
It's a beautiful day here in New England; hope it's equally beautiful where you are.

Wednesday, July 12, 2017

It's a very hot, very humid day today, far too miserable to do any gardening. I usually post photos from my gardens on Sunday, but I didn't have time as I went to my cousin's eighth birthday party. It was a lovely, fun, relaxing, family afternoon. My seven little cousins enjoy getting together and the adults do, as well!

This blue hydrangea didn't look good in the early spring, but though it is smaller in height than usual, it is bursting with blooms.

I rescued this yellow hibiscus from a sales rack; it was shriveled up and desperate for water. Another hibiscus plant now looks equally green and healthy, but as of yet has failed to bloom. I buy my plants from regular garden centers, but I can't help sometimes checking out the bargains on the sale racks at Lowe's.

This little teapot was a quick craft project last week for my deck. If you have been following my blog, you may remember that I made two similar teapot features last summer. You may view them here and here. Those were a bit more involved than this simple little one which involved a string of clear beads, a dollar store teapot, E6000 glue, clear fishing line, and a small shepherd's hook.

My stand of bee balm did not fare well this winter, but a few stems have produced flowers. So far, no hummingbirds have been visiting them, but I really get a kick out of this flower. Doesn't it look like a hairdo for a punk rock star???

Quilting and stitching-wise I have been fairly lazy. I have 'ditched' quilted a few rows of the artful log cabin quilt begun in the Katie PM workshop and have begun a hand stitched wool project which will either be a tad late for the Fourth of July or very, very early for next year . :-)

Sunday, July 2, 2017

This was a quilting weekend in Stoughton, and I finished piecing the artful log cabin piece that I began in the Katie PM workshop. Now it needs batting and quilting which I hope to get to this week.

Have you caught the highly addictive collage quilt fever yet? Many of my friends have, and they are loving the process. Here's Edith's finished "Lulu the Elephant" which is a pattern by Laura Heine. Lulu is big, colorful, and even more gorgeous in person. :-)

Laurel is working on this lovely butterfly, and today she added flowers to the bottom corners. Another friend is working on a small rooster which looks ready to strut his stuff. They all took a class at Cannizzaro Creations in Rockland, MA to learn this process.

The subject possibilities for this fun technique would appear to be endless. Having said that, I have far too many projects lined up to allow myself to fall down this rabbit hole. I'll just admire the work of my friends. :-)

Saturday, July 1, 2017

Where has this week gone? It seemed to fly by. Here are some final scenes from Stowe, VT. We had dinner at the Depot Street Malt Shop (bottom right corner) on Saturday after returning from the quilt festival; it's a fun place in town for a quick meal.

On Wednesday, I met friends for lunch at a new restaurant in Hull, Local 02045, on the bay side. Here's the view from the deck. Sunsets are supposed to be absolutely spectacular here.

Finally, on Thursday, I was sitting at my dining room table sewing when I noticed this little guy peeking in the window. He hung out for quite awhile and didn't move when I went outside to snap this photo.

About Me

After thirty-four wonderful years, I'm now a retired ELA middle school teacher who has totally embraced la dolce far niente, the sweetness of doing nothing. No, that's not true, it's just that now I have the luxury of time to quilt, photograph, travel, get fit, play the flute, and learn Italian.

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All photos on the pages of this blog are copyrighted. Please do not use them for any purpose without first obtaining permission from me. Leave a comment on the post which has the photo you are interested in, and I will respond.